Bs0−Bˉs0B_s^0 - \bar B_s^0 mixing and b→sb \to s transitions in isosinglet down quark model

The recent observation of the mass difference in $B_s$ system seems to be not in complete agreement with the corresponding standard model value. We consider the model with an extra vector like down quark to explain this discrepancy and obtain the constraints on the new physics parameters. Thereafter, we show that with these new constraints this model can successfully explain other observed deviations associated with $b \to s$ transitions, namely, $B_s \to \psi \phi$, $B\to K \pi$ and $B\to \phi K_s$.Comment: 19 pages, 6 figure

The B -> pi pi, pi K Puzzles: Implications for Hadron Physics, New Physics and Rare Decays

The B-meson system is an interesting probe for the exploration of strong interactions, the quark-flavour sector of the Standard Model, and the search for new physics. In this programme, non-leptonic B decays, which are particularly challenging from the point of view of QCD, play a key role. After discussing strategies to deal with the corresponding hadronic matrix elements of four-quark operators and popular avenues for new physics to manifest itself in B decays, we focus on puzzling patterns in the B-factory data for B -> pi pi, pi K decays; we explore their implications for hadron physics, new physics and rare K and B decays.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figures, plenary talk at the International Conference on QCD and Hadronic Physics, Peking University, Beijing, China, 16-20 June 2005, to appear in the Proceeding

Correlations between plasma variables and the deposition process of Si films from chlorosilanes in low pressure RF plasma of argon and hydrogen

The dissociation of chlorosilanes to silicon and its deposition on a solid substrate in a RF plasma of mixtures of argon and hydrogen were investigated as a function of the macrovariables of the plasma. The dissociation mechanism of chlorosilanes and HCl as well as the formation of Si in the plasma state were studied by sampling the plasma with a quadrupole mass spectrometer. Macrovariables such as pressure, net RF power input and locations in the plasma reactor strongly influence the kinetics of dissociation. The deposition process of microcrystalline silicon films and its chlorine contamination were correlated to the dissociation mechanism of chlorosilanes and HCl

Fast CP Violation

$B$ flavor tagging will be extensively studied at the asymmetric $B$ factories due to its importance in CP asymmetry measurements. The primary tagging modes are the semileptonic decays of the $b$ (lepton tag), or the hadronic $b \to c (\to s)$ decays (kaon tag). We suggest that looking for time dependent CP asymmetries in events where one $B$ is tagged leptonically and the other one is tagged with a kaon could result in an early detection of CP violation. Although in the Standard Model these asymmetries are expected to be small, $\sim 1$, they could be measured with about the same amount of data as in the ``gold-plated'' decay $B_d \to \psi K_S$. In the presence of physics beyond the Standard Model, these asymmetries could be as large as $\sim 5$, and the first CP violation signal in the $B$ system may show up in these events. We give explicit examples of new physics scenarios where this occurs.Comment: 9 pages, revtex, no figures. Discussion of new physics effects on CP violation with two lepton tags expanded. Factors of 2 correcte

The photon polarization in B -> X gamma in the standard model

The standard model prediction for the $B\to X_{s,d}\gamma$ decay amplitude with a right-handed photon is believed to be tiny, suppressed by $m_{s,d}/m_b$, compared to the amplitude with a left-handed photon. We show that this suppression is fictitious: in inclusive decays, the ratio of these two amplitudes is only suppressed by $g_s/(4\pi)$, and in exclusive decays by $\Lambda_{QCD}/m_b$. The suppression is not stronger in $B\to X_d\gamma$ decays than it is in $B\to X_s\gamma$. We estimate that the time dependent CP asymmetries in $B\to K^*\gamma$, $\rho\gamma$, $K_S\pi^0\gamma$, and $\pi^+\pi^-\gamma$ are of order 0.1 and that they have significant uncertainties.Comment: Clarifications in the exclusive section, references adde

Microphysical, microchemical and adhesive properties of lunar material. 3: Gas interaction with lunar material

Knowledge of the reactivity of lunar material surfaces is important for understanding the effects of the lunar or space environment upon this material, particularly its nature, behavior and exposure history in comparison to terrestrial materials. Adsorptive properties are one of the important techniques for such studies. Gas adsorption measurements were made on an Apollo 12 ultrahigh vacuum-stored sample and Apollo 14 and 15 N2-stored samples. Surface area measurements were made on the latter two. Adsorbate gases used were N2, A, O2 and H2O. Krypton was used for the surface area determinations. Runs were made at room and liquid nitrogen temperature in volumetric and gravimetric systems. It was found that the adsorptive/desorptive behavior was in general significantly different from that of terrestrial materials of similar type and form. Specifically (1) the UHV-stored sample exhibited very high initial adsorption indicative of high surface reactivity, and (2) the N2-stored samples at room and liquid nitrogen temperatures showed that more gas was desorbed than introduced during adsorption, indicative of gas release from the samples. The high reactivity is a scribed cosmic ray track and solar wind damage

Thermodynamic properties of argon from the triple point to 300 K at pressures to 1000 atmospheres

Thermodynamic property data for argo

Constraining the CKM Parameters using CP Violation in semi-leptonic B Decays

We discuss the usefulness of the CP violating semi-leptonic asymmetry a_{SL} not only as a signal of new physics, but also as a tool in constraining the CKM parameters. We show that this technique could yield useful results in the first years of running at the B factories. We present the analysis graphically in terms of M_{12}, the dispersive part of the B-Bbar mixing amplitude. This is complementary to the usual unitarity triangle representation and often allows a cleaner interpretation of the data.Comment: 15 pages REVTEX, 7 figure

Fractal dimensions of the Q-state Potts model for the complete and external hulls

Fortuin-Kastelyn clusters in the critical $Q$-state Potts model are conformally invariant fractals. We obtain simulation results for the fractal dimension of the complete and external (accessible) hulls for Q=1, 2, 3, and 4, on clusters that wrap around a cylindrical system. We find excellent agreement between these results and theoretical predictions. We also obtain the probability distributions of the hull lengths and maximal heights of the clusters in this geometry and provide a conjecture for their form.Comment: 9 pages 4 figure

Thermal and Non-thermal Plasmas in the Galaxy Cluster 3C 129

We describe new Chandra spectroscopy data of the cluster which harbors the prototypical "head tail" radio galaxy 3C 129 and the weaker radio galaxy 3C 129.1. We combined the Chandra data with Very Large Array (VLA) radio data taken at 0.33, 5, and 8 GHz (archival data) and 1.4 GHz (new data). We also obtained new HI observations at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory (DRAO) to measure the neutral Hydrogen column density in the direction of the cluster with arcminute angular resolution. The Chandra observation reveals extended X-ray emission from the radio galaxy 3C 129.1 with a total luminosity of 1.5E+41 erg/s. The X-ray excess is resolved into an extended central source of ~2 arcsec (1 kpc) diameter and several point sources with an individual luminosity up to 2.1E+40 erg/s. In the case of the radio galaxy 3C 129, the Chandra observation shows, in addition to core and jet X-ray emission reported in an earlier paper, some evidence for extended, diffuse X-ray emission from a region east of the radio core. The 12 arcsec x 36 arcsec (6 kpc x 17 kpc) region lies "in front" of the radio core, in the same direction into which the radio galaxy is moving. We use the radio and X-ray data to study in detail the pressure balance between the non-thermal radio plasma and the thermal Intra Cluster Medium (ICM) along the tail of 3C 129 which extends over 15 arcmin (427 kpc). Depending on the assumed lower energy cutoff of the electron energy spectrum, the minimum pressure of the radio plasma lies a factor of between 10 and 40 below the ICM pressure for a large part of the tail. We discuss several possibilities to explain the apparent pressure mismatch.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS. Refereed manuscript. 14 pages, 8 figures, additional panel of Fig. 3 shows asymmetric ICM distributio